2012 NHL Playoffs: 3 Reasons the Stanley Cup Could Avoid the NY Rangers

New York, New York.  The city itself can send chills up your spine.

Madison Square Garden is considered "the world's most famous arena."

The fans are as faithful and loyal as they come. The team has already called the coveted Stanley Cup theirs on four separate occasions (1928, 1933, 1940 and 1994).

Although many can argue the Rangers have underachieved in recent years, and that may be true, this season the Rangers have been money!

From their awesome coaching in John Tortorella, to their solid defense.

From their leadership in Ryan Callahan to their great goaltending in Henrik Lundqvist.

The Rangers' 2012 season already has a Winter Classic victory under its belt versus the Flyers and not only winning the Atlantic Division, but the Eastern Conference as well.

Although in most people's eyes the New York Rangers are the No. 1  team to beat for the 2012 Stanley Cup, the superteam does have some kryptonite that cannot be overlooked.

But, are they the favorites to win it?

Here are some potential obstructions in the Rangers' quest to their franchise's fifth NHL Championship.

1. If Henrik Lundqvist Loses His Form

Henrik Lundqvist at times seems to be unbeatable.

The 30-year-old Swedish goalie has been nominated for the Vezina Trophy three times and is the leading candidate for the silverware this season.

Lundqvist is the absolute most important piece to the Rangers' puzzle of success and his leadership and performance helped name him the Rangers' MVP for the sixth consecutive season in a row.

His form and play will be a strong factor in determining the Rangers' success and the longevity of their postseason run.

If Lundqvist cannot perform to his absolute best capability, the Rangers can kiss Lord Stanley goodbye.

2. If Their Power Play Is as Bad as It Was in the Beginning of the Season

The Boston Bruins' championship team last year had a staggeringly low power-play success rate at 11 percent—and that can make certain people believe that the power play isn't important—but the best teams have a better success rate. 

In the earlier stages of this 2012 season, the Rangers had a bottom-five power-play unit in the NHL.

In a recent turnaround, Tortorella's Rangers have gone 8-for-24 in their last few games.

Interestingly enough, the Rangers are 25-2-4 when they have scored at least one power play goal this season—which is why the Rangers cannot slack in this area during the postseason.

This shows the importance and versatility in New York's success and it will be important to continue in the playoffs. 

3. The Pittsburgh Penguins

Although the Rangers undoubtedly had the best season in the Eastern Conference, it is overshadowed by the Penguins' great second half of the season and return of a (finally) healthy Sidney Crosby. 

The Rangers can pretty much match up one-on-one with the Penguins' top lines, but they are thin in depth where the Penguins excel. 

The Penguins are absolutely a force to be reckoned with and the Rangers seem to have gotten the short end of the stick this season.

Rangers have lost four consecutive games to the Penguins, including a 5-2 loss at the Garden just a mere month ago.

Needless to say, the Rangers can beat the Pens, but my money is with Pittsburgh if they meet in the Eastern Conference Finals.